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Select Board approves extended liquor hours for Straight Wharf Fish Market, subject to private agreements
Summary
The Nantucket County Select Board unanimously approved an application allowing Straight Wharf Fish Market to extend liquor service hours to 11 p.m., with the board noting the extension remains subject to any private agreements with abutters and Massachusetts law on liquor hours.
The Nantucket County Select Board voted unanimously to approve an application allowing Straight Wharf Fish Market to extend the hours for seasonal wine and malt beverage service to 11 p.m., subject to any private agreements between the licensee and nearby property owners.
Amy, a staff member for the board, told the board the Straight Wharf Fish Market’s liquor license was approved in 2023 with conditions that set last call at 9 p.m. and closure at 10 p.m. She said the license included a separate, private cooperation agreement that could allow extended liquor service after one year if there were no problems.
“The licensee does have, by right in MGL 138, the right to serve anytime we issue a liquor license. They have the right to serve until 11PM,” Amy said. She told the board the town cannot impose limits earlier than 11 p.m. except by mutual agreement with the licensee and abutters.
Matt, a Select Board member, moved to approve the application; Don seconded the motion. Board members Matt, Don, Tom, Malcolm and the chair all voted aye on the motion. After discussion the board accepted a friendly amendment to clarify the approval: the board will allow service up to 11 p.m. but the extension is subject to any private agreements the licensee maintains with abutters. The roll call on the amended motion was unanimous.
Board members and staff said they had received no complaints about the operation since the license was first granted. Kevin, a representative for the licensee, confirmed the cooperative agreement’s final amendment sets consumption on the premises to end at 10:30 p.m. but accepted the board’s framing that, under state law, the town cannot restrict service before 11 p.m. in the license itself.
The board’s action requires the town to file forms with the state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) to record the approved application and the board’s clarification about private agreements.
The approval is limited to the license scope included in the application and the board’s vote. The board recorded no conditions requiring further mitigation beyond reference to any private agreements and the town’s and state’s standard licensing requirements.
Notes and next steps: staff will prepare the ABCC paperwork reflecting the board’s action and the licensee will remain subject to any private commitments to abutters and to state law on hours.
